Monday 4th July 2022 Epsom and Ewell Borough Council will deliberate in secret on the recruitment of a new Chief Executive. This follows the sudden departure earlier this month of Kathryn Beldon from the top local government post, reported by Epsom and Ewell Times.
Firstly, the powerful Strategy and Resources Committee will meet, followed by the full Council. Both will vote on a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meetings. The resolutions infer that it would not be in the public interest for the public to know information “relating to an individual” or “relating to the finances” (of the Council).
Epsom and Ewell Times assume that press and public will be excluded from the debates on the resolutions to exclude them!
UK’s 2022 Top Jazz Award nominees to play in Epsom
28 June 2022
Jo Harrop is one of 4 nominees for the prestigious annual Parliamentary jazz award for vocalist of the year 2022. Epsom’s own Nigel Price, the UK’s foremost guitarist and founder of the UK wide jazz club supporting Grassroots Jazz , has been nominated for the annual award for services to jazz. The winners will be announced at PizzaExpress Live, Holborn, London on Tuesday 5th July. Both nominees will play in Epsom on Thursday 7th July at 7.30pm at the Epsom Jazz Club in The Oaks Room in the Conservative Club, Church Street, Epsom. You can book your tickets for Epsom Jazz Club 7th July for a great evening of jazz.
How Epsom and Ewell Times improves the community….
28 June 2022
Some key findings of the Public Interest News Foundation include:
Most independent news publishers cover a broad range of news topics within a tightly defined local place. The smaller the area covered, the smaller the revenue.
The staff at independent publishers are not yet representative of the UK population, with women and ethnic minorities underrepresented. More than half of publishers say they’re making efforts to serve diverse audiences.
Independent publishers make a big difference to the communities they serve – and to democracy. Publishers say they increase civic engagement, increase public debate and inspire more people to be involved in public life, among other things.
Publishers face significant challenges around revenue, staffing, costs and the social media giants.
Amid rising demand for high quality local news, publishers have high hopes for the future. They see opportunities to build trust with communities that feel far from economic or political power.
Epsom and Ewell Times is your news service. Contributors, subscribers and advertisers, our doors are open. Remember we are not-for-profit. No salaries and no fees are paid.
Epsom Choral works 100 years
28 June 2022
Epsom Choral Society (ECS), which is celebrating its Centenary this year, put on a spirited performance at its “Songs from the Shows” concert on Saturday 25th June at St Andrews Church in Cheam.
The choir has traditionally concentrated on lighter repertoire for its summer concert and this year it caught the mood with a programme of medleys from famous musicals such as Porgy and Bess, Guys and Dolls and Oklahoma! Les Misérables received particularly enthusiastic applause. The evening was enhanced by two soloists from the Epsom Light Opera Company: Lian Downes, who performed ‘Meadowlark’ from The Baker’s Wife and James Turnbull, who sang ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’ from Les Misérables. The evening came together under the expert baton of Musical Director Julian Collings with a band which, despite being much reduced by the rail strike, provided all the rhythm and colour needed for a great evening.
The final concert in the choir’s Centenary Season will be Handel’s Messiah at Epsom Playhouse on Saturday 3rd December, and ECS would love to see you there. What better way to celebrate 100 years of singing? Visit their website HERE
Another £1/4 m to plan planning
28 June 2022
COST OF NEW LOCAL PLAN GOES UP BY ANOTHER QUARTER OF A MILLION POUNDS.
A meeting of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee on 21 June 2022 was presented with a shortfall of £255,000 in funding the delivery of the Local Plan. The shortfall was discovered following a full review of the Local Plan progress and supporting evidence base that was undertaken by the Head of Place Development earlier this year “to understand the implications of changes in legislation and local context post Covid.” These additional funds would be required to cover the Planning Inspectorate’s public examination of the Plan, including their fees. The total amount of money so far allocated to the Local Plan process was unclear. When Cllr Julie Morris (Lib Dem, College ward) said that she had totted up the cost to be at least £1.3 million, the Head of Place Development agreed to investigate and report back on the full official figure. Cllr Peter Webb (Res Ass, Auriol ward) asked whether officers could assure the committee that no further fund increases would be required. The Head of Place Development confirmed that she was sure the latest requirement would be sufficient to cover the standard process as long as the Council kept to the agreed scope and timetable but that there was still uncertainty about unknown variables such as the level of response to the public consultation. The committee was warned that the new Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill announced in the recent Queen’s Speech could include some significant changes to the way local plans are produced and may involve some additional duties. As the Local Plan is a mandatory document, the Council has no alternative but to find the necessary funding for it. The committee meeting started at 7:30 pm and closed at 7:48 pm.
On Saturday 18th June Epsom Music with Surrey Stands with Ukraine organised a very special evening with Ukrainian musicians at the Epsom Methodist Church. The evening was hosted and presented in Ukrainian. Church Minister CatherineHutton welcomed an audience of Ukrainian refugees and their English hosts.
Picture above features Ukrainian pianist Anastacia Tolstonog and her musically gifted children, Maryan and Hannah.
Robin Sebastian (aka Kenneth Williams on stage and screen) and on behalf of Headley Parish Council presented to Anne-Marie Carlin of Surrey Stands With Ukraine a cheque for £6000.
Recently arrived from Ukraine, Mariya Zhornikova, of Kharkiv Arts University, opened the music with Debussy’s Pagodes from the Estampes Suite for piano.
Vadym Perog and Svitlana Kosenko
Svitlana Kosenko, professor of piano at the Yehudi Menuhin School in nearby Cobham, accompanied outstanding violinist 17 year old Vadym Perog, who’s technical mastery of a work by Maurice Ravel was spellbounding.
Anastacia Tolstonog, professional pianist and piano tutor, accompanied her recently arrived 16 years old son Maryan van Prooijen, who was enrolled, together with his musical 14 years old sister, Hannah, at the Yehudi Menuhin School. They had been studying at the Kyiv Lisenko State Music Lyceum. Anastacia also played solo pieces by Scarlatti and three works by Ukrainian composer Viktor Kosenko.
Many in the audience were moved to tears by the passion of the players and the beauty of their music.
Nina Kaye, of the Epsom Refugee network, recited a moving poem written by local poet Audrey Ardern-Jones entitled “White Roses”, written in honour of Audrey’s mother, who fled to England from Lviv, during the Second World War. You can read the poem HERE in English and Ukrainian
The evening’s success was assured by the interpreting skills of Darina Dvorinchenko, also recently arrived from Odessa, Ukraine.
If you know of opportunities for Ukrainian pianists to perform or tutor get in touch with The Epsom and Ewell Times and we will pass your message on.
Youtube video courtesy of Cllr Steven McCormick of parts of the concert HERE
https://www.youtube.com/embed/WsRSl0hZG7E
Yehudi Menuhin School’s professor of piano Svitlana Kosenko accompanies violin virtuoso Vadym Perog.
Witness appeal following burglary in Ewell
28 June 2022
Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Ewell on Wednesday, 8 June.
Officers were called to a residential address on Cheam Road near to the junction with the A24 following reports of a burglary. It is believed the suspect entered the property at some point between 8.10am and 5.30pm. The suspect conducted an untidy search before leaving with two high-value watches, a Breitling Chronospace Military and Tag Heuer Aquaracer.
PC James Wheatland said: “If you were in the area at this time and saw anything suspicious, or have dashcam footage, please get in touch. We are doing everything we can to reunite the victim with their watches and we’re releasing images of the watches in the hope this might further our investigation. The watches have sentimental value to the victim and we’re asking the public if they recognise the watches, or have any information about where they might be found, to contact us.”
If you have any information which may assist with our investigation, please contact Surrey Police quoting PR/ 45220060913 via:
If you do not wish to leave your name, you may call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Epsom Rotary in Motion
28 June 2022
Epsom Rotary will be holding a stall at the Epsom Marketplace on Saturday, 02 July 2022 and welcome anyone to come and visit to learn more about Epsom Rotary and ways that they could get involved. Each year The Rotary Club of Epsom is involved in a range of local community events. The club organises the annual Epsom and Ewell Borough Family Fun Day with the Rotary Club of Ewell. There are gardening sessions at Old Moat Garden Centre and they have created and now maintain the Community Allotment together with Ewell Rotary. The club also runs the local Young Musician, Young Photographer, Young Chef and French Speaking competitions annually. They helped marshal the Cancer Research UK Race for Life event at Epsom Downs Racecourse this year and of course, there are the annual Christmas collections around Epsom.
Supporting community events
The club has a varied social calendar with recent events including sporting event and nights out at local restaurants, as well as the regular meetings. Being part of a large, international organisation they also have the opportunity to compete against other local Rotary clubs in the district sports competitions.
Allot a lot more allotments say Rotarians as they tend this one.
Epsom Bowling is proud and delighted that Martin Harbottle, Club President and member for many years , has been elected as Surrey County Bowling Association President for the year 2022.
Martin has won numerous County, District and Club Competitions and been part of League and Knockout squads for his Club. He is still an active member and also has an administrative role as Club Match Secretary. Having been a guardsman on active service in his past he is tough, but a fair competitor and administrator and well liked and respected my his fellow players.
Bowls is a quietly played game that need not be the preserve of the older generation. In some communities a bowling club is at the heart and all generations play . Why not contact your local bowling club? There are a number in the Borough.
Epsom Bowling Club
Worple Road, Epsom KT18 5EW
Epsom Park Bowling Club
Bowling
41 Alexandra Road, Epsom
Ewell Village Bowling Club
Gibraltar Recreation Ground, West Street, Ewell, Epsom
Epsom and Ewell Times will report regularly on match results. Click HERE for our first batch.
Epsom’s first Oaks race winner for sale
28 June 2022
Epsom based sculptor Kendra Haste has created a painted galvanised wire sculptor of Lord Derby’s 1779 inaugural Oaks winner, Bridget. Epsom’s own “The Oaks” became the second oldest “classic” horse race after Doncaster’s 1776 St Leger. The Oaks race is for three year old fillies and is run over 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards of Epsom’s Downs racecourse. So called as the first race started from Edward Smith Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby’s estate, in the area now known as Oaks Park in Carshalton.
Kendra Haste at her workshop. Image Iona Nicol
Bridget, a thoroughbred, was kept in a stable block on the estate and has a very special link to Kendra. 243 years later, the building is home to the sculptor’s studio.
The piece depicted above is the first in a series of small unique maquette sculptures depicting Bridget. For further information about these works, you can enquire here.
Driving to Sutton or Kingston in an old car could cost you £12.50 next year!
28 June 2022
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) that charges old diesel and some old petrol cars £12.50 a day 24/7 for travel in inner London might be expanded to Epsom and Ewell’s borders from August 2023.
You can examine exactly where the proposed ULEZ will be located near the Borough’s borders via this detailed online map CLICK HERE
The Mayor of London’s case for the expansion of ULEZ is summarised in the consultation document: Health crisis, climate crisis and road congestion.
“London’s air quality is a public health crisis. In 2019, it’s estimated that more than 4,000 Londoners died prematurely because of filthy air, with the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in outer London boroughs. The London boroughs with the highest number of air pollution related deaths in 2019 were Bromley, Barnet, Croydon and Havering, proving that poor air quality is not just an inner London problem. More than 500,000 Londoners suffer from asthma, making them vulnerable to toxic air pollution. If we do not act now, it is estimated that more than 500,000 Londoners will develop diseases attributable to toxic air pollution in the next 30 years.
We face a climate crisis. Last year the COP 26 conference concluded that without urgent action, there will be catastrophic temperature increases and extreme weather events. London is already suffering these, such as flash flooding of some stations, schools and hospitals in 2021.
Road congestion is still a big problem. Congestion cost the capital £5.1bn last year alone. This heavily impacts businesses, bus customers and other essential services. Longer journey times affect us all. Traffic can negatively impact our health and wellbeing, and increases road danger. This makes our city a less pleasant place to live, work, visit and do business.”
Epsom and Ewell Times asked all the Councillors representing Wards in the Borough with London area borders:
The irrepressible Jan Mason (Residents Association) for Ruxley Ward was first off. “My Ward is on the Boundary of Chessington and would be greatly affected by these proposals. Plus of course the thousand of vehicles which use the Chessington Road to go to work or to go to the Merritt Doctors’ Surgery and the shops and schools and to join the M25 etc. In other words the proposal is ridiculous. Yet again an ill thought out proposal”.
E&ET: [Note that in fact by using Ruxley Lane, the Ewell-By-Pass and A3 you will be able to get to the M25 without crossing into the proposed expanded ULEZ.]
Next we have a response from John Beckett (RA) Auriol Ward: “I oppose the plans as they stand but, if they do go ahead, there need to be more ULEZ free travel corridors that enable Epsom and Ewell (E&E) residents to access locations such as Worcester Park shopping area, Tolworth shopping area, Malden Rushett access to the A3 along the A243 Hook Road, Chessington without having to be penalised for supporting London businesses by paying the charge.
Many residents in West Ewell, Ruxley, Auriol, Stoneleigh, Ewell Court and Nonsuch have their doctors’ surgeries, medical facilities, local shops, leisure facilities, open spaces (Nonsuch Park), friends and family and schools etc just across the border. Many hundreds of residents in Nonsuch Ward live so close to the border that their postal addresses fall under Sutton and not Epsom and Ewell. The new hospital for Epsom & St. Helier Trust will be located next to the Royal Marsden Hospital in the London Borough Of Sutton. This would mean that Surrey residents would have to pay to go to their local hospital. Epsom’s Maternity Unit will be transferring to this new hospital site which means that our expectant mothers will have to pay to have scans, check-ups and to give birth!”
Epsom and Ewell Times notes from the map of the proposed ULEZ that Malden Road, where the Worcester Park shops are, is not in the zone.
Chris Grayling MP states:
“Those who live at the north end of Epsom and Ewell and in Nork are probably particularly aware of the Mayor of London’s plans to extend the Ultra Low Emission zone to the London boundary. This would mean that older vehicles would have to pay a daily charge to drive across the boundary.
Clearly this has major implications for many people living locally, and while I understand the intent behind the policy, it is in my view damaging and unworkable for the areas immediately adjoining the boundary. Transport for London has yet to give clear details about how it would work on the border – for example what do they plan to do with cases like that of Sparrow Farm Road in Stoneleigh? This road is in Surrey on one side and in London on the other. But it would mean a charge for many Surrey residents doing local journeys or driving from one place in Surrey to another if the route crossed the boundary.
I have lodged an objection to the scheme because of this, and would encourage residents here to make their views known to TfL.”
The consultation ends on 29th July 2022. You can have your say via this link
Enlisted in the army in 1914 aged 15. Awarded the Silver War Badge. Buried in a pauper’s and now unmarked grave in Epsom’s abandoned 5 acre cemetery of 9000 souls.
Leslie Attwood was born in the June quarter of 1899, the third child and second son of Charles Attwood and Alice Amelia née Appleby.
Charles, born in 1858, a plasterer and Alice, born in 1867, had married on 14th September 1895 at St James’s Church, Lambeth. Their respective fathers, Charles Attwood, a bootmaker and Samuel Appleby, a silk merchant were both deceased. The marriage was witnessed by Mark Arthur Attwood and Kate Attwood. Mark was Leslie’s Uncle,
In the 1901 Census Leslie is living with his parents, his brothers Arthur, Harold and sister Leonora at 32, St Mark’s Road in Lambeth.
Births and deaths in the family
By the time of the 1911 census we are privy to further information. Leslie is still at school along with Leonora but now there are three extra siblings, Dorothy May, Leonard Vivian and Amy. Charles and Alice have been married for sixteen years, have had nine children but only six are still living. The family is now living at 8, Gordon Grove in Brixton.
A search on the GRO site reveals that Harold Trevor recorded on the 1901 census died later that year in the December quarter. At the time of little Harold’s death, his Mother was expecting twins which she gave birth to during the March quarter of 1902; sadly both died, Walter during the same March quarter and Ernest during the June quarter.
Leslie enlists in the army
Leslie enlisted with the Territorials on 4th August 1914 as a driver, number 1344 in the 2/6 London Brigade RFA (Royal Field Artillery). The record is very tattered and parts illegible but we are able to build a picture of Leslie’s appearance. He was quite tall – 5’ 7” – and slim with a 35”chest. He had a fair complexion and fair hair with grey eyes. His occupation at that time was as a greengrocer and his religion is given as C of E. He gave his age as 17 years 5 months when in fact he was only just 15 years old!
He was awarded the Silver War Badge which was awarded to soldiers who were discharged on injury or health grounds whether or not they had served overseas.
A mental breakdown
In 1915 he was admitted to 60th London Casualty Clearing Station with what was described as melancholia.
He was transferred to Napsbury Military Hospital on 8th September 1915. He was described as being childish and feebleminded but quiet and well behaved. He had already ‘broken down’ mentally at least once.
The reader will have the impression that the Army was not really a suitable choice of career for Leslie as on January 28th 1916 he was declared no longer fit for war service and his military character is described as ‘Indifferent’ The reason given for this is imbecility which originated ‘probably from birth’.
His age was given as 16 years 11 months but the 16 is scored through and 18 substituted. However, we know that Leslie was not yet even 17 years of age as he was born the second quarter of 1899. This suggests that the enlistment officers were keen to recruit without asking too many questions.
Death in Long Grove
So far I have not been able to find out where Leslie went to between leaving the army on 28th January 1916 and his death on 29th December 1917 at Long Grove from Pulmonary TB. It is probable that he stayed with his parents as on his entry in ‘Soldiers effects’, we are told that money was paid to his father. Leslie is buried in plot 926b in Horton Cemetery.
Cost of Living Crisis Scams – Epsom and Ewell’s Citizen Advice Bureau can help:
28 June 2022
Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell (CAEE) is joining Scams Awareness Fortnight 2022, a national campaign to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of economic fraud. CAEE advisers are helping an increasing number of people who have been targeted by a scammer just as the cost-of-living crisis takes hold. Types of scam include ID theft, unpaid tax claim, online sale and delivery and stolen tenancy deposit.
Lisa Davis, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell, said: “We know scammers prey on our worries and fears, sadly the cost-of-living crisis is no exception. We’re asking everyone to help spread the message that scams are crimes that can happen to anyone. Fraudsters always find ways of exploiting difficult times and the cost of living crisis is making many more people vulnerable. Anyone can be targeted by a scam, and as the purse strings are tightened and financial pressures pile on, it’s important we work together to protect ourselves and each other.”
To stop more people from falling victim to these types of scams, Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell is sharing five top tips to help you guard against a potential scam:
● It seems too good to be true – for example, scammers pretending to be energy
companies to lure people into “too good to be true” deals
● You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company or a genuine person – take a
moment to step back and double-check
● You’ve been pressured to transfer money quickly
● You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way – like by an iTunes vouchers or a transfer service
● You’ve been asked to give away personal information such as passwords, PINs or other verification codes.
If you’ve been scammed, Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell advises:
● Talk to your bank or card company immediately if you’ve handed over any financial and sensitive information or made a payment
● Report the scam to Citizens Advice. Offline scams, like those using the telephone, post and coming to your door, can be reported to the Citizens Advice website or by calling 0808 223 1133. Report online scams to the dedicated Scams Action service either online or on 0808 250 5050
● Text scams can be reported to your mobile phone provider by forwarding it to 7726
● Also report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Last year, Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell helped more than 2,800 people with over 7,600 issues relating to benefits, debt, housing, employment, relationships, neighbour disputes, discrimination, probate, care costs, winter fuel payments, student loans and consumer issues. We have a team of 50 volunteers whose skills, experience and commitment deliver our services, including mental health, money advice and tribunal teams.
Their work has become all the more important recently after the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis and would not be possible without the unfailing support of the local community. CAEE sits at the heart of this community – here for everyone with a listening ear and a friendly face ready to help with whatever the problem, confidential, impartial and all for free.
Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell (CAEE) is a small, local charity offering free advice and information for all who live, work and study in the borough of Epsom and Ewell. All adviceis free, confidential, impartial and independent.
However, this service comes at a cost – on average £60 for each person they help and although they have funding from Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and other local partners, they must raise a significant sum in order to operate. They ask for support for their work. Just £5 per month could enable one client in need this year.
Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses following reports of a serious sexual assault in Epsom in the early hours of the morning of Monday 13th June.
The victim was walking through the grass area in the middle of Parkview Way at around 4am when she was pushed to the floor and sexually assaulted.
Police believe there may have been three men nearby at the time of the assault who may have information.
Officers are carrying out house to house enquiries in the area as part of the investigation and are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen someone, or a group of people, acting suspiciously in the area at the time.
If you have any information which could help the police investigation, including any smart doorbell footage, or if you were in the area at the time, please contact Surrey Police quoting PR/45220062125 via:
If you do not wish to leave your name, please call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
£225,000 to plan the unplanned
28 June 2022
Council to spend £225,000 on consultants for Epsom Town Centre “Masterplan”.
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) has secured a total of £225,000 from The Department for Levelling Up and the regional Local Enterprise Partnership. The money is earmarked to pay consultants to develop an “Epsom Town Centre Master Plan”, including digital community engagement plans. A public consultation about it later this year is indicated.
26th May 2022 Council officers reported to Councillors: “The Council is faced with some difficult decisions about how it can plan to accommodate growth to meet central government policy. There are several potential development opportunities within Epsom Town Centre that could come forward(emphasis supplied) promoted by each respective landowner.”
“.…… presently, there is not an up-to-date document to guide development in the Town Centre. The Town Centre Masterplan provides the opportunity to plan comprehensively for development to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to address the following:
The parameters for development of the sites that have been submitted through the Local Plan Call for Sites for development (Utilities, Ashley Centre, University for the Creative Arts (UCA))
The facilities and infrastructure that would be needed to support the development of key sites (parking, retail, social, community, transport).
Environmental Improvements to the town centre that could be facilitated through development proposals. Whether through development itself, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) (chargeable on substantial developments) and section 106 Town and Country Planning Act funds (money transferred to the Council by developers, usually on the larger scale developments that require structural support).
Key principles for retention, enhancement or development of areas that would not be subject to major development proposals.
EEBC’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee agreed to delegate the spending of this £225,000 to the Council Officer entitled Head of Place Development.
The digital engagement element of the £225,000 is £125,000 and was sought by EEBC to support the following Governmental objects and within the development of the Epsom Town Centre Masterplan.
• “Incentivise communities to positively engage in planning conversations.”
• “Engage a more representative range of citizens in decision-making.”
• “Inform the community on trade-offs and outcomes through development.”
• “Establish meaningful baseline data and, where possible, integrate digital and traditional engagement best practice.”
Lessons learned from this Town Centre Masterplan “digital engagement” might be applied to planning matters generally in the future.
Only time will tell whether landowners and land developers will ever submit plans that need to be judged by the policies of the “Epsom Town Centre Masterplan” that is to be developed at a cost of £225,000.
Borough celebrates being a Twin for 25 years
28 June 2022
Over the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, Epsom and Ewell entertained a large group of visitors from its French twin town, Chantilly. Guests included Chantilly’s Deputy Mayor and members of the Chantilly Comité de Jumelage (Twinning Committee). The occasion celebrated 25 years of the official signing of a Twinning Charter in 1995, the visit having been postponed for two years due to the pandemic.
Chantilly is a commune in Northern France. Surrounded by Chantilly Forest, the town of 10,863 inhabitants (2017) lies about 24 miles northeast of Paris and with six neighbouring communes forms an urban area of 37,209 inhabitants (2017 census).
The Château de Chantilly was home to the Princes of Condé, cousins of the Kings of France, from the 17th to the 19th centuries. It now houses the Musée Condé. Chantilly is also known for its horse racing track, Chantilly Racecourse, where prestigious races are held for the Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de Diane. Chantilly and the surrounding communities are home to the largest racehorse-training community in France. Chantilly is also home to the Living Museum of the Horse, with stables built by the Princes of Condé.
Over the years, many such visits have taken place, links between schools, clubs, choirs and individuals have been established, and friendships made. This weekend some of the original contacts from the Chantilly and the Epsom Model Railway Clubs were reunited. There were also new introductions, with two members of Chantilly’s Karate Shotokan club joining the Chief Coach and members of Mo-Ichido Martial Arts Club for an impressive training session, and high school teachers meeting to discuss involvement in an international project in Chantilly. Meanwhile, the rest of the party were taken on a guided tour to Ermyn Lodge breeder and trainer’s yard, and the historic stables at the Durdans. There were some more official, commemorative moments, when The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Councillor Clive Woodbridge, and the Mayoress, Mrs Mary Woodbridge, joined for the planting of a European Oak tree in Rosebery Park, and a visit to Epsom marketplace to show off the recently placed Derby Hall of Fame roundels which feature notable Derby winners, including 1965 winner Sea Bird from Chantilly. Time out was allowed, of course, for lunch at a local pub and essential shopping in the Ashley Centre.
No celebration would be complete without speeches, delivered in English and French by both parties, and the exchange of gifts, with Epsom and Ewell presenting Chantilly with a display case of limited edition Jubilee coins, and an individual commemorative £5 coin for each visitor. The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell was delighted to receive a very handsome model of a horse’s head, mounted and engraved on interlinked horseshoes. This will be on display in the Town Hall in due course.
The Epsom and Ewell Town Twinning Association
The Epsom and Ewell Town Twinning Association is always delighted to hear from organisations looking for their equivalent in Chantilly, as well as individuals offering language skills or seeking a way to improve their French. The Association has a regular programme of local events in the Borough, both social and educational, allowing the chance to practise speaking French. There is a very popular annual French Public Speaking Competition for Schools, run jointly with Epsom Rotary, and regular Soirées Françaises for members. Of course there are also fundraisers like quizzes and the appreciation of French food and wine from time to time. Advice on visiting Chantilly, where to stay and what to see, is available too.
Established in 1994, Epsom and Ewell Town Twinning Association is a non-profit association, funded by members’ subscriptions and fundraising, and run by a group of volunteers to fulfil the obligations of the formal twinning agreement signed by the Mayors of Chantilly and Epsom and Ewell the following year. It is not supported financially by the Borough.
For more information onThe Epsom and Ewell Town Twinning Association:
